US6725323B2 - Apparatus and method for updating flash ROM in an electronic apparatus having a plurality of boards - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic apparatus and method for updating data in a flash read only memory (ROM) in an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus, which may be an image forming apparatus having copying and printing functions, has a first board connected to an external device, and a second board connected to the first board. If flash ROM-updating data received from the external device is not data used for updating the flash ROM on the first board, this updating data is forwarded to the second board. On the basis of the updating data forwarded from the first board, the flash ROM of the second board is updated. The updated data may be forwarded to a third board if the data is not data for updating the flash ROM on the second board.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus having various functions, including a copy function and a network printer function, and also to a method of updating the data in a flash read only memory (ROM) provided in such an electronic apparatus.

A conventional electronic apparatus, such as an image forming apparatus, comprises a plurality of control boards. These boards are connected to other boards by way of interfaces. Data communication is enabled between the boards connected through the interfaces. A central processing unit (CPU) and a control program, which are used for executing control, and a nonvolatile memory, which stores control data, are provided on each of the control boards. The nonvolatile memory may be a ROM, which does not allow the rewriting of data, a flash ROM, which enables the electrical rewriting based on a predetermined program, or another type of memory. Where the data stored in the ROM (which does not allow the rewriting of data) must be updated, the ROM itself is replaced with another. This entails manual operations, such as detachment of the ROM from its board, disconnection of connectors and other devices arranged between the boards, etc.

Where the data stored in the flash ROM must be updated, a personal computer (PC) is connected to the board, and the data in the flash ROM is updated under the control of the PC. In this case as well, a manual operation is needed. The PC must be connected to the board holding the flash ROM whose data is to be updated. As described above, an electronic apparatus comprising a plurality of boards has problems in that the board holding the flash ROM whose data it to be updated must be first made connectable to a PC or another type of data-updating device, and then connected to the PC. If the data corresponding to a plurality of boards has to be updated, the operator has to connect the PC sequentially to the connection points of the boards. For this reason, the operation of updating the data in the flash ROM is troublesome.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived to solve the problem that the operation of updating the data in flash ROMs is troublesome. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide an electronic apparatus that enables easy updating of data stored in nonvolatile memories even if the electronic apparatus comprises a plurality of boards. The present invention is also intended to provide a flash ROM data-updating method for use in the electronic apparatus.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a first board which has an external interface used for data communication to an external apparatus and which holds a first flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data; and at least one second board which is connected to the first board and which holds a second flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data, the first board including: a determination section which, upon reception of updating data of a control program from the external apparatus, determines if the updating data is data used for updating the first flash ROM; a first updating section which updates data in the first flash ROM based on the updating data when the determination section determines that the updating data is data used for updating the first flash ROM; and a transfer section which forwards the updating data to the at least one second board when the updating data is not data used for the updating the first flash ROM, the at least one second board including: a second updating section which, upon reception of the updating data forwarded from the first board, updates data stored in the at least one second flash ROM based on the updating data.

A flash ROM data-updating method according to the present invention is applicable to a control system of an electronic apparatus comprising a first board which has an external interface used for data communication to an external apparatus and which holds a first flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data; and at least one second board which is connected to the first board and which holds a second flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data, the method comprising: receiving updating data of a control program from the external apparatus and determining if the updating data in the first flash ROM is data used for updating the first flash ROM; updating data in the first flash ROM based on the updating data when the updating data is determined to be data used for updating the first flash ROM; forwarding the updating data to the at least one second board when the updating data is not determined to be data used for updating the first flash ROM; and updating data stored in the second flash ROM based on the updating data when the at least one second board receives the updating data forwarded from the first board.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a digital copying machine, which is an example of an image forming apparatus or electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the digital copying machine depicted in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating how data is updated for a plurality of boards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a digital copying machine, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copying machine1 comprises an apparatusmain body2, and this apparatusmain body2 contains a scanner section4 serving as reading means, and a printer section6 serving as image forming means.

A document table8 made of transparent glass and designed to hold a document D (i.e., an object to be read) thereon is provided on top of the apparatusmain body2. An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”)9, which automatically feeds documents D to the document table8, is also provided on top of the apparatusmain body2.

Documents D placed on thedocument tray9aof theADF9 are fed by means of a feed guide (not shown) and are discharged onto adischarge tray9cby means of aplaten roller9b. When the documents D are being carried by theplaten roller9b, they are exposed to light emitted from the exposure lamp10 of the scanner section4, which will be described later. By this operation, images on the documents D are read. The documents D are placed on the document tray9aof theADF9 in such a manner that the surfaces to be read are directed upward. The documents D are fed into the apparatus one by one, and the uppermost document is taken in at all times.

The scanner section4 arranged inside the apparatusmain body2 includes an exposure lamp10 and a first mirror12. The exposure lamp10 is a light source that emits illumination light to a document when it is fed by theADF9 or placed on the document table8. The exposure lamp10 is a halogen lamp, for example. The first mirror12 deflects the light reflected by the document so that the reflected light can travel in a predetermined direction. The exposure lamp10 and the first mirror12 are attached to a first carriage14, which is located under the document table8.

The first carriage14 is movable in parallel to the document table8. It is driven back and forth in the region under the document table8 by a scanner motor (driving motor)16 by means of a toothed belt (not shown), etc. The scanner motor16 is a stepping motor, for example.

A second carriage18, which is movable in parallel to the document table8, is located under the document table8. A second mirror20 and athird mirror22 are attached to the second carriage18 in such a manner that they form an angle of 90°. The second andthird mirrors20 and22 deflect the reflected light from the document in the order mentioned, after the first mirror12 deflects the reflected light. The second carriage18 receives a torque which is transmitted thereto from the scanner motor16 by means of the toothed belt (by which the first carriage14 is driven), for example. The second carriage18 is driven in such a manner as to follow the first carriage14, and moves in parallel to the document table8 at a speed half that of the first carriage14.

A focusinglens24 and a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor26 (line sensor) are arranged under the document table8. The focusinglens24 serves to focus the reflected light from the third mirror20 provided on the second carriage18. The CCD sensor26 serves to receive the reflected light, which is converged by the focusinglens24, and convert it into electric signals. The focusinglens24 is arranged in the plane containing the optical axis of the light deflected by thethird mirror22, and is movable in that plane by means of a driving mechanism. The reflected light is focused at a desired power (in the main scan direction) in accordance with the movement of the focusinglens24. The CCD sensor26 executes photoelectric conversion with respect to the reflected light incident thereon in accordance with image processing clocks output by a main CPU, and outputs electric signals corresponding to a read document D. The power in the sub scan direction can be varied by changing the feeding speed of theADF9 or the moving speed of the first carriage14.

When a document D fed by theADF9 is read, the irradiation position by the exposure lamp10 is fixed at the position shown in FIG.1. When a document D placed on the document table8 is read, the irradiation position by the exposure lamp10 is moved from left to right along the document table8.

The printer section6 is provided with alaser exposure unit28, which serves as a latent image forming means. The circumferential surface of aphotosensitive drum30 is scanned with the laser beam emitted from thelaser exposure unit28, as a result of which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30.

The printer section6 is provided with thephotosensitive drum30 mentioned above. Thisdrum30 is a rotatable drum arranged substantially in the central right region of the apparatusmain body2 and serving as an image bearer. The circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30 is exposed to a laser beam emitted from thelaser exposure unit28, and a desired electrostatic latent image is formed thereby. Arranged around thephotosensitive drum30 are the following: acharger32 which charges the circumferential surface of the drum to have a predetermined amount of charge; a developing unit (developing means)34 which supplies toner (a developing agent) to the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30 and thereby develops the image with a desired image density; and aseparation charger36 which separates image formation media (copy sheets) P from the photosensitive drum30 (the image formation media are supplied fromcassettes48 and50 to be described later). These three elements are integrally provided as one body. Also arranged around thephotosensitive drum30 are the following: atransfer charger38 which transfers a toner image from thephotosensitive drum30 to a copy sheet P; aseparation claw40 which separates the copy sheet P from the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30; acleaning unit42 which clears the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30 of residual toner; and adischarger44 which electrically discharges the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30. These structural elements are arranged in the order mentioned.

Anupper cassette48 and alower cassette50 are arranged in the lower region of the apparatusmain body2. They are stacked one upon the other, and can be pulled out from the apparatus main body individually. Thecassettes48 and50 contain copy sheets P that are different in size. Amanual insertion tray54 is provided on one side of theupper cassette48.

Asheet feed path56 is defined inside the apparatusmain body2. Thesheet feed path56 extends from thecassettes48 and50 and passes through a transfer region between thephotosensitive drum30 and thetransfer charger38. A fixingunit58 including a fixinglamp58ais provided at the terminating end of thesheet feed path56. A discharge port60 is located above the fixingunit58.

In the neighborhood of each of the upper andlower cassettes48 and50, a sheet feed roller62 and a separation roller63 are provided. By means of these, the copy sheets P are taken out from thecassettes48 and50 one by one. A large number of sheet feed roller pairs64 are provided in thesheet feed path56 so that the copy sheets P picked up by the sheet feed roller62 and separation roller63 can be carried along thesheet feed path56.

In thesheet feed path56 and at a position upstream of thephotosensitive drum30, aregister roller pair66 is provided. Theregister roller pair66 serves to adjust the orientation of a picked-up copy sheet and registers the copy sheet in such a manner that the forward end of a toner image formed on thephotosensitive drum30 corresponds to the forward end of the sheet. Then, the copy sheet P is fed to a transfer section or region at the same speed as the moving speed of the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30. Apre-alignment sensor68 is provided at a position immediately before theregister roller pair66, i.e., at that side of theregister roller pair66 which is closer to the sheet feed roller pairs64. Thepre-alignment sensor68 detects the arrival of the copy sheet P.

The copy sheets P, which are taken out from thecassettes48 and50 one by one, are first fed toward theregister roller pair66 by the sheet feed roller pairs64. After the forward ends are registered, the copy sheets P are fed to the transfer region.

At the transfer region, the developer image formed on thephotosensitive drum30, namely a toner image, is transferred to a copy sheet P by thetransfer charger38. After the transfer of the toner image, the copy sheet P is separated from the circumferential surface of thephotosensitive drum30 by means of theseparation charger36 and theseparation claw40. Thereafter, the copy sheet P is fed to the fixingunit58 by means of a feed belt (not shown), which constitutes part of thesheet feed path56. After the fixingunit58 melts and fixes the developer image to the copy sheet P, the copy sheet P is discharged through the discharge port60 onto asheet discharge tray78, which is inside the apparatusmain body2, by means of a sheetdischarge roller pair70. An automatic reversingdevice74 is provided to the right of thesheet feed path56. By this automatic reversingdevice74, a copy sheet P that has passed through the fixingunit58 is reversed and fed back to thesheet feed path56.

A controller (control system), which includes a plurality of control boards, is provided inside the apparatusmain body2. The controller is provided with a connection terminal which serves as an external interface and to which an external device, such as a PC, is connected. The connection terminal is located on the side or back surface of the apparatusmain body2, so that the external device can be easily connected to the apparatusmain body2. The connection terminal is an interface, such as RS 232C.

A control panel (not shown) is provided on the upper front portion of the apparatusmain body2. By operating the control panel, various copying conditions, such as a copying magnification, are entered, and a copying operation is started. The control panel comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD). This liquid crystal display shows operation guide messages and includes built-in touch keys that enable various designations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the digital copying machine depicted in FIG.1.

The control system of the digital copying machine1 comprises asystem control section81, anengine control section82, alaser control section83, ascanner control section84 and apanel control section85. Thesystem control section81 is provided on asystem control board81a, theengine control section82 is provided on anengine control board82a, thelaser control section83 is provided on alaser control board83a, thescanner control section84 is provided on ascanner control board84a, and thepanel control section85 is provided on apanel control board85a. A CPU, a RAM and a flash ROM (FROM) are provided on each of these boards.

Let us assume that thesystem control board81 is a parent board (first board) of the control system. In this case, theengine control board82a, thescanner control board84aand thepanel control board85aare child boards (second boards), and thelaser control board83ais a grandchild board (third board), as can be seen from FIG.2. Therefore, when data is sent from the external device (such asPC86 connected to the parent board) to the child boards, the data never fails to pass through thesystem control board81a, namely the parent board. Likewise, when data is sent from the external device to thegrandchild board83a, the data never fails to pass through theparent board81aand thechild board82a.

Thesystem control section81 performs overall control of the copying machine (system), image processing, recording of images, etc. Thesystem control section81 is provided on thesystem control board81a. A CPU (system CPU)91, aRAM92, a flash ROM (FROM)93, animage processing section94, an external interface (external I/F)95, internal interfaces (internal I/Fs)96,97 and98, etc. are mounted on thesystem control board81a.

Thesystem CPU91 performs control of the entire system. TheRAM92 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores data. Theflash ROM93 is a nonvolatile memory, the data in which can be rewritten based on a predetermined program. Theflash ROM93 stores a control program, control data, etc. Theimage processing section94 performs image processing.

Theexternal interface95 is connected to the connection terminal described above. Theexternal interface95 is an interface that enables data communication with the external device, such as personal computer (PC)86. When the copying machine is used as a network printer, a terminal device of the network is connected to thesystem control board81athrough theexternal interface95. Theexternal interface95 may be provided independently of thesystem control board81a.

Internal interface96 is an interface that enables data communication with theengine control section82.Internal interface97 is an interface that enables data communication with thescanner control section84.Internal interface98 is an interface that enables data communication with thepanel control section85.

Theengine control section82 controls the main motor, feed rollers, etc., and prints images on image formation media. Theengine control section82 is provided on theengine control board82a. ACPU101, aRAM102, a flash ROM (FROM)103, anengine driving mechanism104, internal interfaces (internal I/F)105 and106, etc. are mounted on theengine control board82a.

TheCPU101 controls the printing of images on sheets in accordance with operation commands sent from theCPU91 of thesystem controller81. TheRAM102 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores data. Theflash ROM103 is a nonvolatile memory, the data in which can be rewritten based on a predetermined program. Theflash ROM103 stores a control program and control data, which are for engine control.

Theengine driving mechanism104 is a mechanism that drives the main motor of the printer section, etc. For example, thephotosensitive drum30,charger32, developingunit34,separation charger36,transfer charger38, cleaningunit42,discharger44, fixingunit58, and automatic reversingdevice74 are driven by theengine driving mechanism104. In addition, the sheet feed rollers62, separation roller63, sheet feed roller pairs64,register roller pair66 and sheetdischarge roller pair70, which are located at respective positions of thesheet feed path56 and constitute part of the feeding system, are also driven by theengine driving mechanism104.

Internal interface105 is an interface that enables data communication with thesystem control section81. Through thisinterface105, the engine control board82bis connected tointernal interface96 of thesystem control board81a.Internal interface106 is an interface that enables data communication with thelaser control section83.

Thelaser control section83 controls the emission of the semiconductor laser from thelaser exposure unit28. Thelaser control section83 is provided on thelaser control board83a. ACPU111, aRAM112, a flash ROM (FROM)113, alaser driving mechanism114 and an internal interface (internal I/F)115, etc. are mounted on thelaser control board83a.

TheCPU111 controls thelaser exposure unit28 in accordance with operation commands supplied from theCPU111. TheRAM112 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores data. Theflash ROM113 is a nonvolatile memory, the data in which can be rewritten based on a predetermined program. Theflash ROM113 stores a control program and control data, which are for laser control.

Thelaser driving mechanism114 causes thelaser exposure unit28 to emit a semiconductor laser and drives a polygon motor (not shown) etc.Internal interface115 is an interface that enables data communication with theengine control section82. Through thisinterface115, thelaser control board83ais connected to theengine control board82a.

Thescanner control section84 controls the document image-reading operation by thescanner control board84a. Thescanner control section84 is provided on thescanner control board84a. ACPU121, aRAM122, a flash ROM (FROM)123, ascanner driving mechanism124 and an internal interface (internal I/F)125, etc. are mounted on thescanner control board84a.

TheCPU121 controls the scanner section4 in accordance with operation commands supplied from theCPU91 of thesystem control section81. TheRAM122 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores data. Theflash ROM123 is a nonvolatile memory, the data in which can be rewritten based on a predetermined program. Theflash ROM123 stores a control program and control data, which are for control of the scanner section.

Thescanner driving mechanism124 drives the scanner motor16 to drive the first and second carriages of the scanner section4.Internal interface125 is an interface that enables data communication with thesystem control section81. Through thisinterface125, thescanner control board84ais connected to thesystem control board81a.

Thepanel control section85 controls the control panel. Thepanel control section85 is provided on thepanel control board85a. ACPU131, aRAM132, a flash ROM (FROM)133, adisplay device134,operation keys135 and an internal interface (internal I/F)136, etc. are mounted on thepanel control board85a.

TheCPU131 controls the control panel in accordance with operation commands supplied from theCPU91 of thesystem control section81. TheRAM132 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores data. Theflash ROM133 is a nonvolatile memory, the data in which can be rewritten based on a predetermined program. Theflash ROM133 stores a control program and control data used for controlling the control panel, as well as display data.

Thedisplay device134 is a liquid crystal device including a built-in touch panel. Thedisplay device134 displays setting contents, an operation state or operation guide messages. The operation keys are used by the user to enter operation commands.Internal interface136 is an interface that enables data communication with thesystem control section81. Through thisinterface136, thepanel control board85ais connected to thesystem control board81a.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining how the data in the flash ROM of each board is updated. In the description below, it is assumed thatPC86 connected to theexternal interface95 of thesystem control board81asends updating data to the copying machine.

First of all, the operator connectsPC86 to the connection terminal by means of a communication cable or the like. AfterPC86 is connected to the connection terminal, the operator operatesPC86 to transmit the updating data to the copying machine. The updating data includes information designating a flash ROM to be updated, an updating control program for updating processing, updating data, etc.PC86 may be connected beforehand as a network terminal.

WhenPC86 transmits the flash ROM-updating data, this data is received by theexternal interface95 of the system control section81 (Step S1). Upon reception of the updating data, theCPU91 of thesystem control section81 checks the updating data and determines which board holds the flash ROM to be updated (Step S2). By this determination, the board that holds the flash ROM to be updated is identified. Then,CPU91 determines whether the flash ROM to be updated is the one held on the same board asCPU91, i.e., whether the flash ROM to be updated is the one held on thesystem control board81a(Step S3).

If this determination shows that the flash ROM to be updated is the one held on the same board, i.e., if it is flash ROM93 (Step S3, YES),CPU91 records the updating data inRAM92 and runs the updating control program inRAM92. By running this updating control program,CPU91 rewrites the data inflash ROM93 on the basis of the updating data (Step S4). As a result, the updating processing of the flash ROM is completed on the basis of the updating data.

If the determination described above does not show that the flash ROM to be updated is the one held on the same board (Step S3, NO),CPU91 determines whether or not the board holding the flash ROM to be updated (determined in Step S2) is connected to thesystem control board81a(Step S5).

If this determination shows that the board holding the flash ROM to be updated is connected to thesystem control board81a(Step S5, YES),CPU91 determines which board is a transfer destination, i.e., which board is the board to which the updating data should be sent to (Step S7).

If the determination described above does not show that the board holding the flash ROM to be updated is connected to thesystem control board81a(Step S5, NO),CPU91 determines a transfer route along which the updating data is sent to the flash ROM to be updated (Step S6). On the basis of the transfer route determined in this manner,CPU91 determines which board should receive updating data (Step S7).

In other words, thelaser control board83aholding theflash ROM113 is not connected to thesystem control board81adescribed above. Therefore, if the flash ROM to be updated isflash ROM113,CPU91 determines that the updating data should be sent to thelaser control board83aalong the route that extends from thesystem control board81ato thelaser control board83aby way of theengine control board82a. On the basis of this transfer route determination,CPU91 determines that the updating data should be sent to theengine control board82a.

In the case where the board holding the flash ROM to be updated is connected to the board that has received the updating data, the CPU of the board that has received the updating data determines that the board holding the flash ROM to be updated is the transfer destination of the updating data.

In the case where the board holding the flash ROM to be updated is not connected to the board that has received the updating data, the CPU of the board that has received the updating data determines which transfer route should be used for sending the updating data to the board holding the flash ROM to be updated. On the basis of the transfer route, the CPU of the board that has received the updating data identifies the transfer destination board to which the updating data should be sent.

After identifying the transfer destination board to which the updating data is sent,CPU91 checks which communication method the internal interfaces should use for sending the data to the transfer destination board (Step S8). The communication methods available include serial communication, parallel data communication, peripheral component interconnect (PCI) communication, etc. After determining the communication method used for sending the data to the transfer destination board,CPU91 converts the format of the updating data in accordance with the determined communication method (Step S9). After this conversion process, in which the updating data is converted such that it has a format enabling the data transfer operation,CPU91 sends or transfers the converted data to the transfer destination board (Step S10).

In the manner described above, thesystem control board81athat has received the updating data completes its operations.

In the above description, reference was made to the case where thesystem control board81areceives flash ROM-updating data fromPC86, which is an external device. Similar operations are executed in the case where another control board receives flash ROM-updating data from another control board. For example, when each control board receives updating data from thesystem control board81aor another control board, processing similar to that defined in steps S1 to S10 is executed, so as to update the flash ROM or send the updating data to another board.

As described above, an apparatus comprises a plurality of boards, and if a board receives updating data which should be transferred to another board, internal interfaces provided beforehand enable that updating data to be transferred to the other board.

By virtue of this, a PC or another device that sends updating data need not be connected to each of the boards, and yet the flash ROM mounted on each board can be updated. Hence, the trouble of manual data updating can be greatly saved.

The data updating method described above is applicable to an apparatus wherein a plurality of boards are combined in a complex manner. Data updating for all boards can be executed by merely sending updating data from a PC or another type of device connectable to one of the boards.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (2)

What is claimed is:

1. A flash ROM data-updating method applicable to an electronic apparatus comprising: a first board which is connected to an external interface used for data communication with an external apparatus and which holds a first flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data, a plurality of second boards each of which is connected to the first board and each of which holds a second flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data; and at least one third board which is connected to a particular one of the second boards and which holds a third flash ROM that enables electrical rewriting of data, the method comprising:

receiving, by the first board, flash ROM-updating data from the external device,

determining whether or not the received updating data is data used for updating the first flash ROM;

performing updating of data in the first flash ROM based on the received updating data, when the received updating data is determined to be data used for updating the first flash ROM;

determining whether the received updating data is one of updating data for one of the second flash ROMs and updating data for the third flash ROM, when the received updating data is not determined to be the data used for updating the first flash ROM;

determining a transfer path for forwarding the received updating data from the first board to the third board via the particular one of the second boards, when the received updating data is determined to be data used for updating the third flash ROM of the third board;

forwarding the received updating data from the first board to one of the second boards, which is one of: (i) one of the second boards having a second flash ROM whose data should be updated with the received updating data; and (ii) the particular one of the second boards identified based on the transfer path;

performing updating of data in the second flash ROM based on updating data the one of the second boards receives from the first board, when the received updating data is determined to be data used for updating the second flash ROM,

forwarding updating data the particular one of the second boards receives from the first board, from the particular one of the second boards to the third board having the third flash ROM whose data should be updated with the received updating data, when the received updating data is determined to be the data used for updating the third flash ROM; and

performing updating of data in the third flash ROM based on updating data the third board receives from the particular one of the second boards, when the received updating data is determined to be the data used for updating the third flash ROM.

2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein:

forwarding updating data from the first board to the particular one of the second boards and from the particular one of the second boards to the third board determines a communication method of a transfer destination board to which the updating data is forwarded; and

the updating data is forwarded to the transfer destination board after a format of the updating data is converted in accordance with the determined communication method.

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